The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-10
l492....COLyMBUS....l 492.
THE FOUR HUNDRETH ANNIvER.
SARY OF AMERICA.
How Shall Il BE Observed!-k Grad
Celebration In Which the Whole
World Can JON.

New York Herald: Five year,
from next October will occur one Of
the most notable anniversaries that
the world has ever witnessed.
Since the birth of the Savior and
the consummation of the TRACED,
on Calvary" no event in the history
of the world has been so fraught with
blessings and manifold benefits to
the human race as that which this
approaching anniversary will empha-
size.
Its observance will be one of the
"milestones OF history" - marking
an epoch which, for grandeur Of re-
suits and benefcent advantages con-
ferfed on mankind generally, stands
unparalleled.
This promised celebration is only
five years distant, but it will com
memorate an event which happened
400 years ago-namely, the 40Oth an
niversary OF the discovery OF Ameri-
ca by Christopher Columbus.
The 18th Of October, 1892, there
fore promises, beyond peradyenture,
to be the day OF days. not only in
the annals Of America, but OF the
whole civilized word as we'll.
1.-The Old World" at the time of
the discovery was intensely and
deeply interested in the New
World" The "Old" aud the New"
should, and doubtless will, join to-.
gether now in making this grand old
day forever memorable.
Four hundred years ago-tive
years previous to the discovery OF
Americana one believed or had the
slightest faith in the schemes or
theories OF the great aud apparently
inspired Columbus. To-day the en-.
tire world reveres his memory aud
thanks God that such a man once
lived.
His great genius was at that time
derided, and he was regarded as being
but little better than a demented
dreamer. Today the civilized world
is about TO unite to do him honor.
1t was early on Friday morning OF
October IL, 1892, that Columbus
FIRST set foot upon the soil Of the
new world" With great pomp and
ceremony he planted that cross upon
the sands OF San Salvador, while the
wondering natives crowded around
and gazed at the unwonted spectacle
with awe and reverence, believing
that Columbus and his gorgeously ar
rayed retinue had dropped among
them from out OF the clouds.
This transpired only 1876 years ago,
yet in this short space Of time what
innumerable blessings and benefits
have been youchsafed mankind, and
all through the direct instrumental
ity Of this intrepid navigator aud his
marvellous discoveries
And it is TO commemorate these
achievements, to honor the indom
table pluck and perseverance OF this
bold sailor, that il is now proposed
10 fittin1ly observe and celebrate tn,
four huudredth anniversary Of hi
FIRST landing IN the New World"
Only 400 years. But, from first tC
last, what years they have been
How crowded with history, how
heavily, how richly freighted with
the interests and with the happiness
OF humanity
Since Columbus with his three lit
tie vessels-the Pinta, the Santi
Maria aud the Niua-6rst shewe'
the way across the wild Atlantic
how many millions upon millions o
people have followed in his wax,
over the trackless ocean
Had il not been for Columbus an,
his firm conviction that beyond III,
Pillars Of Hercules '-somewher,
on the other side Of the great unex
plored waste Of wators"-thero la.
another land. who can say for hoy
many more years, aye, for how man.
more coturies perhaps, Americ
might not have remained undis
ooveredp
Had that discovery been post
poned for but few decades only
who can tell what the result woul,
have been today
Would not the events which wer,
at that precise period Transporting al
over Europe, aud the events whicl
crowded thick aud fast upon eacI
other during the first 80 or ~
years Immediately following the dis
covery, have materially altered tn
complexion Of things as they eXis
today all over the world2
Had Columbus not hourished jus
when he did would the United State
have had any place today In tn
e" sisterhood OF nationsl'
Ifit really had would il have bee
as today the grand, powerful repub
| lie OF nearly $1,000, 900 Of people2
Would there have been, as there
today, a safe refuge aud a. asylum !
which the oppressed peoples OF th
eiTete and iyraannical 60 sernments q
the old world could fee 10 the hou
Of needp
In short, would the world today b
as far advanced in the various sci
enc;s-particularly 10 marine scienc
would il have been a. prosperous
would the masses have been as We
informed, as happy and as contentec
had Columbus made his bow in Oh
Spanish court, say. only fifty year
later than he did,
Ii is very evident, judging fror
the past, that the great ChristophC
came along in the very mick ,
time"-just at the hour when III
world stood mos In need OF such
genius. A few years earlier or a ie
years later would most assured
have made a vast difference 10 ii
world as we know il today. VIII
, that difference would have been Z
living man can tell. As il is, hoy
, ever, the world is satisfied with &,
, lumbus aud with what ho aocon
|, plished, aud proposes TO honor hin
now SHALL IT M oRsERvED2
Aud now arises the all absorbin
the all important CUES iion-"Hu
' shall this grand anniversary be mo
3 appropriately aud most iittingly eel
y Oratedf'
8 True, but FIVE years remain
which 10 perieet such arrauRemen